DepartmentTextiles-Middle East

Kilim (Flatwoven rug)

NameKilim (Flatwoven rug)

Artist Artist Not Recorded

CultureYomut/Yamud Turkmen

DateLate 19th century

Place madeTurkmenistan, Middle East or West Asia, Asia

Mediumwool

Dimensions79 × 141 in. (200.6604 × 358.1407 cm)

Credit LineGift of Marvin J. Hand Jr.

Object numberA.2024.2.6

Provenancedonor purchased these textiles from various sources (bazaars, rug dealers, etc.) in the 1970s while living in Iran

DescriptionSingle panel weft-face plain weave with discontinuous supplementary weft brocade in an all-over geometric repeat. Main motif is sometimes referred to as a “latch-hook” or “ram’s horn” and said to represent stylized animal heads. The negative space created between the bolder blue ram’s horns could be interpreted as a variation on the “flower-and-bud” motif. Continuous supplementary weft stripes in blue near ends. Final row of continuous supplementary two-color weft twining in blue and reddish orange on either end, now with heavy losses.

Warp: Z spun 2 ply S twist in undyed variegated wool. Finished with simple loose fringe (common of Persian flatweaves). Sides reinforced with rows of extra parallel wrapping in blue.

Likely all natural dyes and undyed wool. Blue likely indigo. Reddish orange likely madder root mordanted with alum and iron sulphate (see pg. 31 Yorük: The Nomadic Weaving Tradition of the Middle East by Landreau, ed.; also, see illustration of Yomut brocaded rug on pg. 115, fig. 89).